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December 20, 2010 | 16 Comments

Baby’s 1st Sensory Tub

sensory bin for babiesI made this sensory activity for my daughter about a week ago and it’s been used daily since. She loves it , the colors, the sounds the blocks make in the dish and the different shapes and textures too. When you are thinking of activities for infants you must consider safety first and remember things that older children may be bored to tears with will probably be perfectly stimulating  for an infant or young toddler. As always remember you must supervise your kids carefully, especially infants.

  1. Gather your materials. You will need  a dish shallow enough for little hands to reach in,baby blocks of different size and/or shape and color. Most of our blocks are hard with a few squeaky blocks mixed in. Make sure you are comfortable with your baby mouthing the contents as that is the main way infants explore and they are big enough not to pose a choking risk.
  2. Have a helper pop them in the dish for you.
  3. Play.
  4. She loves it. It’s loud especially if you have them in a high chair and a wood floor. Label the blocks for them as they hold them, but let them explore without narration too. This is why you need to be ok with them mouthing the contents, it’s developmentally appropriate and feels especially good on teething gums. If they are not interested or turn their heads avoiding looking at the tub , remove it. An overstimulated infant is no fun for them or you and if it’s too much that’s ok. Snuggle, sing, read or go for a quiet walk.

Filed Under: Age: Infant | 16 Comments

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16 Comments

  1. Melitsa says

    December 20, 2010 at 6:41 am

    cute! We call this something similar- Treasure Baskets in the UK 🙂 a little different ( often natural objects) but similar concept.

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  2. Tiffany says

    December 20, 2010 at 7:48 am

    Great idea!!!! Thanks!

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  3. The Activity Mom says

    December 20, 2010 at 8:38 am

    Great idea! I like that they both had fun with it!

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  4. Renee says

    December 20, 2010 at 9:57 am

    More of these, supermom! We’d be lost without your site, and my littlest one is insatiably curious!

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  5. EEK says

    December 20, 2010 at 10:30 am

    Clever! I’d love to see more ideas for infants/babies.

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  6. Rebecca says

    December 20, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    So cute!

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  7. Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog says

    December 20, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    Oh my goodness, she is adorable!! Love this activity — what a wonderful way for infants to explore. 🙂

    to Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog" aria-label='reply to this comment to Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      December 20, 2010 at 9:50 pm

      Oh I was going to snap a picture of her this afternoon for you – she was wearing one of the bibs you made <3

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  8. April Driggers says

    December 21, 2010 at 9:03 am

    Thanks for the idea! I’ve got a 9 month old… he’s just right for this type of activity now. 🙂

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  9. Brenna says

    December 23, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    How did she get so big already?!? Love the sensory tub already. I don’t think most people would think babies could enjoy something like that at an early age. Almost makes me want a baby around. Almost. 😉

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  10. Kris Pearson says

    December 25, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Clever! I’d love to see more ideas for infants/babies.

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  11. Amanda says

    November 18, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    omg I love the pictures here! She is so cute! I saw a gears and whatever high chair toy for kids for $20 and I was like I know if I put blocks in a bin, any kids is gonna think that’s fun – and we can buy other things way more fun! And Your daughter is my proof!

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  12. Jessica says

    August 29, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    What are the hard blocks pictured? I’ve never seen them before, looks like they would be a lot easier for my 15 month old to put together than duplos.

    I have become a big fan of your blog. I value the way you take care to describe the process…things you think about, what your children do during the activity, how you interact with them. It’s very instructive and helpful!

    to Jessica" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jessica'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      August 30, 2012 at 11:26 am

      Thanks Jessica I hope my blog is helpful it’s definitely my goal. The blocks are Little People blocks and are way easier for little ones to put together. Here is a link to them Fisher-Price Little People Builders Classic Shapes Blocks .

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  13. Trisha Roberts says

    May 2, 2016 at 7:36 am

    Blocks are great! You could also do a sensory tub with other items that are shaped differently, made of a variety of textures,and require a different grasp to secure and hold: a tub with plastic, cloth/stuffed, or wooden animals, for example.
    Make sure that all items are larger than your child’s closed fist–anything smaller poses a choking hazard!
    Trisha Roberts, Pediatric Physical Therapist

    http://www.proeducationaltoys.com or http://www.proeducationtoys.blogspot.com

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Trackbacks

  1. How To Make A Simple and Frugal Sensory Tub - No Time For Flash Cards says:
    July 8, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    […] Also I am asked all the time how I deal with my daughter putting the beans and grains in her mouth. She doesn’t generally but that is why I use such small grains , they will taste gross if she tried to chew them but they are so small they pose a very small risk of being a chocking hazard. Still stay within arms reach at all times. I used our coffee table ( which is technically a bench)  and sat on the opposite side the while time the tub was within her reach. If your child is not ready for these try this one we made last year […]

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